• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.133-140
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• 2003

Objectives : Kochiae Fructus (dried fruits of Kochia scoparia L. Schrad,) is used in the treatment of skin diseases as internal or external medicine in Oriental Medicine, but there has not been experimental study of Kochiae Fructus as an external medicine. The purpose of this study was to investigate if it has certain effects on the skin or not. Methods : By a skin prick test method, we evaluated the effects of wet dressing with Kochiae Fructus decoction in different concentrations on histamine-induced itch, erythema and wheal responses, and compared them with the effects of calamine lotion and distilled water in 8 healthy volunteers aged 26-32. Results : The mean intensity and duration of itch were most decreased after wet dressing with a Kochiae Fructus decoction of 100mg/150ml. The time required for erythema to reach the maximal size was around 5 minutes in all groups, and the size of erythema was smallest on the skin taking wet dressing with the Kochiae Fructus decoction of highest concentration. The size of wheal was also smallest after wet dressing with the highest concentration Kochiae Fructus decoction. The effects of wet dressing with Kochiae Fructus decoction on skin were dependent on their concentrations. Conclusions : Kochiae Fructus suppressed the histamine-induced skin responses, which supports the ancient herbal literatures which describe that Kochiae Fructus has a certain effectiveness on some skin diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.64-72
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• 2000

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) on the apoptosis induced by withdrawal of neurotrophic support. Methods : PCl2 pheochromocytoma cells have been used extensively as a model for studying the cellular and molecular effects of neuronal cells. The viability of cells was measured by MTT assay. We used DNA fragmentation and caspase 3-like protease activation assay. Results : The water extract of Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) significantly showed protective effects on serum and glucose deprivation-induced apoptotic death. Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) also prevents DNA fragmentation and caspase 3-like protease activation, representing typical neuronal apoptotic phenomena in PCl2 pheochromocytoma cells and induces tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins around 44 kDa, which was identified as ERK1 with electrophoretic gel mobility shift by Western blot. In addition, MAPK kinase(MEK) inhibitor PD98059 and Ras inactivator, ${\alpha}-hydroxyfarnesylphosphonic$ acid attenuated the neuroprotective effects of Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) in serum-deprived PCl2 cells. Conclusions : These results indicate that Ras/MEK/ERK signaling pathway plays a key role in neuroprotective effects of Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) in serum-deprived PCl2 cells. Taken together, we suggest the possibility that Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) might provide a neurotrophic-like activity in PCl2 cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.143-148
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• 2014

Arecoline is a major alkaloid of areca nuts which are widely chewed by southeast Asian and it manifests various toxic effects in different organs of human and animals. In this work, mature mice were treated by vitamins C plus E, arecoline, or both daily for four weeks. The results showed that arecoline significantly increased the levels of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and significantly decreased the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the liver tissues. Additionally, the body weight, testis weight, sperm counts, motility and normal sperms also were significantly decreased. The supplement of vitamins C and E can bring the activities of ALP and GPT to normal levels and partially restore the sperm counts compared to the arecoline-treated group but have no other positive effects. In conclusion, the vitamins C and E partially attenuated the arecoline-induced hepatotoxiciy but basically had on protective effects against the arecoline-induced testicular toxicity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.401-409
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• 2010

This study was designed to investigate the effects of BojungIkkiTang-Gamybang freeze dried powder (BITG) on proliferauion, protective of cell death induced by chemicals such as paraquat, hydrogen peroxide etc and anti-oxidative effects in C6 glioma cells. In our results, BITC accelerated proliferation rates of C6 cells in vitro. In addition, protective effects on cell death induced by paraquat and hydrogen peroxide. And, BITC did not have effects on SOD and total glutathione activities, but decresed malone dialdehyde activity. In conclusion, these results suggest the possibility of BojungIkkiTang-Gamybang to protect brain cell or neuronal cell from damage induced by oxidative stress. And also suggest that related mechanisms are involved in malone dialdehyde activity.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.179-187
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• 2020

Objectives : This study investigated the hepatoprotective effects effects of Jageum-jung extract on alcohol-induced liver disease mice model. Methods : Alcoholic liver disease was induced by Ethanol in C57/BL6 male mice, which were fed Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet containing ethanol. Jageum-jung (100,200 and 300 mg/kg bw/day) were orally administered daily in the alcoholic fatty liver disease mice for 16 days. Results : The results indicate that Jageum-jung promotes hepatoprotective effects by significantly reducing aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels as indicators of liver damage in the serum. Furthermore, Jageum-jung decreased accumulation of triglyceride and total cholesterol, increased levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) in the serum of the alcoholic fatty liver disease mice model. Additionally, it improved the serum alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity. Conclusions : This study confirmed the anti-oxidative and hangover elimination effects of Jageum-jung extract, and suggests the possibility of using Jageum-jung to treat alcholic liver disease.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.195-206
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• 1997

In order to study the effects of Ohwangsahwatang on Hyperchole-sterolemia, experimental study were performed on Hypercholesterolemia Rats induced by 2% cholesterol diet. Also the level of total cholesterol. triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol. HDL-cholesterol, phospholipid, transami-nase(GOT, GPT) were measured. The results were summerized as follows : In the model of Hypercholesterolemia induced by 2% cholesterol diet in rats, Ohwangsahwatang showed decreasing effects on total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, phospholipid level, and transaminase (GOT, GPT) activity in serum significantly, depending on the concentration, and showed increasing effects on HDL-cholesterol level in serum significantly depending on the concentration. According to the above results, Ohwangsahwatang showed significant decreasing effects on Hypercholesterolemia, and it is considered that it is appropriate to apply for Hypercholesterolemia.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.973-979
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• 2006

Cordyceps sinensis has been clinically used for the treatment of recovering fatigue, promoting the production of body fluid and qi, resolving sputum and arresting cough. Recent studies showed that Cordyceps sinensis produced immune-modulatory, anticarcinogenic and antioxidative effects. But, there are lack of studies regarding the effects of Cordyceps sinensis on the asthma. So, this study was performed to investigate the oral administrated effects of this herb against the disease. Asthma was induced to Balb/c mouse by i.p. injection and aerosol immunization with ovalbumin, and the change of the eosinophil number in the bronchoalveolar avage fluid(BALF) was observed. Concentrations of Interleukine-4(IL-4), Interleukine-5(IL-5) in BALF and splenocyte were assessed by ELISA, ImmunoglobinG(IgG) and ImmunoglobinE(IgE) from serum were calculated by same method. We found that the effects of Cordyceps sinensis in asthma mouse was implicated in reductions of IL-4, IL-S released from type2 T helper (Th2) cell, and decreases of IgE from plasma cell. These findings suggest that Cordyceps sinensis can produce anti-asthmatic effect, which may play a role in allergen-induced asthma therapy.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.264-269
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• 2011

This study was designed to investigate the effects of Cinnamomi Cortex extract (CC) on hypercholesterolemia induced by Estradiol valerate (EV) in female rats. We investigated the effects of CC on Changes in body weights for 5 weeks. In addition, we examined the effects on fasting blood glucose (FBS) and tested oral glucose tolerance test after oral administration of CC for 5 weeks. We also investigated the effects on levels of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in serum. Treatment with CC restored weight gain rates suppressed by EV significantly. CC did not affect serum glucose level and glucose tolerance. Levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride were lowered by administration of CC compared to EV treated control respectively. These result suggest that CC can lower serum cholesterol level then prevent weight loss induced by EV. We also suggest the possibility as anti-hyperlipidemic agent of CC.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.20.1-20.8
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• 2022

5-Fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and vincristine are chemotherapy agents used to treat various cancers, such as breast cancer and lymphoma for decades, and their effects on cancer have been proven. On the other hand, these anti-cancer drugs cause fatal side effects, including immunosuppression. This study investigated whether sonicated Bordetella bronchiseptica bacterin (B. bronchiseptica) can attenuate the immunosuppression of spleen cells induced by these chemotherapy agents and which subsets of spleen cells were affected. B. bronchiseptica increased the metabolic activity of spleen cells treated with 3 anti-cancer drugs. Cell death analysis using Annexin V/propidium iodide showed that B. bronchiseptica markedly decreased the death of spleen cells. The subsets of spleen cells were analyzed by flow cytometry using a surface marker-specific antibody. B. bronchiseptica increased nitric oxide production in the spleen cells treated with anti-cancer drugs (p < 0.0001). Despite the pharmacological effects of anti-cancer drugs, many patients suffer from the fatal side effects of immunosuppression. This study provides valuable information on how to overcome chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.752-755
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• 2006

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of ash tree leaf extract (ALE) on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Hepatoprotective effects were detected by biochemical analysis of hepatic enzymes and histopathological examination of the liver. BALB/c mice were divided into three groups: 'normal' control mice, APAP-treated control mice, and mice pretreated with ALE and treated with APAP. A single dose of APAP markedly increased levels of plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Light micrographs of liver cells stained with hematoxylin and eosin showed that APAP induced severe centrilobular necrosis, degeneration, and infiltration by inflammatory cells. Moreover, APAP caused the numbers of TUNEL-positive hepatocytes to increase and caused glycogen content to decrease as observed by Periodic acid-Schiff stain. However, pretreatment with ALE for 7 days prior to the administration of APAP significantly decreased plasma levels of AST and ALT. Histological findings demonstrated that ALE pretreatment alleviated APAP-induced liver damage, and induced the regeneration of liver tissue and restoration of glycogen. These results indicate that ash tree leaf extract exerts a protective effect against APAP-hepatotoxicity induced injury.